Origen

The ultimate source of chance is Latin cadere ‘to fall’, the root of many other words including those listed at accident. In medieval times chance could mean ‘an accident’ as well as ‘the way things happen, fortune’. There are a number of stories associated with the origin of the phrase chance your arm, meaning ‘to take a risk’. One suggests that it was a slang expression used by tailors who, in rushing the job of sewing in a sleeve, risked the stitches coming loose. Or it may refer to the stripes on the sleeve of a military uniform that indicate a soldier's rank. Doing something that broke military regulations might put you at risk of losing one of your stripes. The most colourful explanation links the phrase with a feud between the Irish Ormond and Kildare families in 1492. According to the story the Earl of Ormond had taken refuge in St Patrick's cathedral in Dublin. The Earl of Kildare, wishing to end the feud and make peace, cut a hole in the cathedral door and put his arm through. The Earl of Ormond accepted his offer of reconciliation and shook his hand rather than cutting it off.

Frases

as chance would have it

There was no forensic evidence but as chance would have it at about 2am a neighbour saw a man whom he knew by sight and first name visiting the property.

All a bit negative, so as a columnist, I wanted to seek out a more positive view of the game, and as chance would have it, I ended up enjoying coffee with one of Norway's most celebrated authors, Thorvald Steen.

People come from far and wide to sample their fish'n'chips, so we were just expecting to get some take out - but as chance would have it there was one table free, the fabled Window Seat!

Nobody wants a police state - chance would be a fine thing with the human rights brigade always waiting to pounce - but how would those who voted against the 90-day clause feel if there was yet another terrorist attack?